Midlands and East

Two people walk across a field. In the background of the photo a historic photo of a colliery has been layered onto the photo

Miner2Major, Bilsthorpe Colliery then and now. Photo: Neil Pledger and Inspire Archives.

Since 1994 we have awarded over £1.9bn of National Lottery and other funding to more than 13,900 projects in the Midlands and East. 

The Midlands and East of England is steeped in rich heritage. The region is home to vibrant cities and cultural hubs, picturesque countryside and iconic waterways. Its varied history ranges from the birthplace of William Shakespeare to the industrial Black Country.

We’re proud to play a role in protecting and celebrating the region's vibrant cities, beautiful landscapes, historic sites and diverse cultures. It’s part of our vision for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.

Get inspiration for your project

Take a look below at project case studies and latest news from your area.

Our National Lottery Heritage Grants funding programme is open – if you have an idea for a project in the Midlands & East of England, we would love to hear from you. Grants are available from £10,000 up to £10m.

Find out more and explore available funding.

Our regular funding advice sessions are a great opportunity to:

find out about our funding
get tips on how to make a good application
network with other organisations from your area

Please us know if you have any accessibility requirements so that we may make reasonable adjustments. You can contact us via email: MidlandsandEast@heritagefund.org.uk.

Book onto an upcoming webinar

Thinking about applying to us for a grant of up to £250,000? Submit a Project Enquiry to get feedback on your project idea before making a full application. We'll get back to you within 10 working days.

Submit a Project Enquiry

We work flexibly and conduct some of our day-to-day business from home.

Please send all items electronically via the email addresses below and not by post.

East Midlands

Email: MidlandsandEast@heritagefund.org.uk

Telephone: 0115 857 6763 (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm)

Postal address

Antenna Creative Business Centre
Beck Street
Nottingham, NG1 1EQ

East of England

Email: MidlandsandEast@heritagefund.org.uk

Telephone: 01223 645 938 (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm)

Postal address

WeWork Offices
50-60 Station Road
Cambridge, CB1 2JH

West Midlands

Email: MidlandsandEast@heritagefund.org.uk

Telephone: 0121 393 4734 (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm)

Postal address

WeWork Offices
55 Colmore Row
Birmingham, B3 2AP

A visiting schoolgirl rings a cast iron bell on a bracket.

A visiting school child tests a bell. Credit: Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust.

Stories

Ringing the changes: engaging the next generation at Britain’s last working bell foundry

Our support is helping to connect the global history of an at-risk craft with new audiences and young people keen to build a career in heritage.

Four children, dressed in WW2 attire and holding union flags, stand in front of a Spitfire at the RAF Museum Midlands.

Young visitors mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day during a visit to RAF Museum Midlands. Photo: Chris Gorman.

Projects

Ready for take off: the future of the Royal Air Force Museum

08/05/2025

An ambitious project is underway to expand and redefine one of the UK’s biggest military museums.

23/11/2022

The art deco red brick structure of the Iron Duke, with its windows boarded up and with visible damage to the facade.

The Iron Duke before restoration. Credit: Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust.

Projects

Saving Great Yarmouth's Iron Duke

02/04/2025

After many years of neglect, one of East Anglia’s most elegant pubs is to be saved for future generations.

23/11/2022

Ely's London Plane towers above an open green lawn on a sunny day.

Ely's London Plane is thought to have been planted in 1674. Credit: The Tree Council

Projects

Caring for the Great London Plane Tree of Ely

28/03/2025

We are funding a vital intervention to protect and preserve one of the UK’s most beloved and historic trees.

16/01/2025

A group of different ages from the Tylorstown community celebrate outside the Welfare Hall, smiling and raising their hands in the air.

The Tylorstown community celebrate outside the Welfare Hall. Credit: Steve Pope / FotoWales.

News

£43million awarded to help communities share skills and learn together

From the Norfolk coast to the canals of Scotland, our latest batch of grants will provide opportunities for people to get hands on with heritage and connect with their area’s past.

09/04/2025

A graphic of a pen signing a document, with a pink background.

Publications

England, Midlands & East: delegated decisions January 2025

Schedule of decisions under delegated powers for England, Midlands & East at The National Lottery Heritage Fund in January 2025.

Looking up at a red brick windmill with large white sails, as the sun sets to the right.

John Webb's windmill at Thaxted, Essex. Credit: Acabashi, Wikimedia Commons.

Projects

Thaxted Windmill - Conserved for its Community

27/01/2025

Together with Historic England, we have awarded a total of £1.6million to bring the last remaining windmill in Thaxted, Essex back into working order.

08/06/2022

Arthur Berry, wearing a flat cap and holding a script, talks with the cast of one of his plays at the Victoria Theatre, Stoke.

Arthur and cast at the New Vic Theatre by Horace Wetton (1986). Credit: Victoria Theatre Archive.

Projects

Stoke-on-Trent to celebrate centenary of local cultural icon Arthur Berry

07/02/2025

Our funding will shine a spotlight on Arthur Berry – poet, painter, playwright, teacher and broadcaster – during a special year for his home city of Stoke-on-Trent.

15/08/2024

People dancing as part of a cultural festival at the Birmingham Commonwealth games

Videos

Inspiration for your heritage project

Engagement Manager Debbie Cooper explores what 'heritage' can mean and shares examples of projects we've funded in the Midlands & East of England.

An adult talks to a child wearing a head scarf.

Learning Through Landscapes delivered the My School My Planet project. Photo: Simon Hadley.

Blogs

How Walsall’s heritage is thriving

Our Engagement Manager, Natalie Osborne, shares the successful heritage work of Walsall – one of our 13 Areas of Focus.

28/09/2023

The view from Hall Ings to Norfolk Gardens.

Bradford's project will connect communities across the city and nearby towns with nature. Credit: SWECO.

News

Nature Towns and Cities launches with £15million investment

We’re supporting 40 towns and cities across the UK to improve and create accessible green spaces, streets and neighbourhoods.

18/07/2025

Publications

England, Midlands & East: committee decisions June 2025

Schedule of decisions for The National Lottery Heritage Fund Committee for England, Midlands & East meeting on 11 June 2025.

Publications

England, Midlands & East: delegated decisions May 2025

Schedule of decisions under delegated powers for England, Midlands & East at The National Lottery Heritage Fund in May 2025.

Visitors enjoy playing in the Chatsworth Cascade. Chatsworth House is in view in the distance.

Many visitors have fond memories of the Cascade, but in recent years the flow of water has stopped to prevent further structural decline. Credit: Simon Broadhead.

Projects

Celebrating the Cascade: restoring Chatsworth’s iconic water feature

01/07/2025

With our funding, Chatsworth House Trust will safeguard one of the UK’s most renowned water features for future generations while expanding the Trust's community outreach work.

01/03/2023

Publications

England, Midlands & East: delegated decisions April 2025

Schedule of decisions under delegated powers for England, Midlands & East at The National Lottery Heritage Fund in April 2025.

A graphic of a pen drawing a line on a pink background.

Publications

England, Midlands & East: delegated decisions March 2025

Schedule of decisions under delegated powers for England, Midlands & East at The National Lottery Heritage Fund in March 2025.

A black and white photograph showing RAF staff celebrating in an office, throwing their arms and papers in the air.

Orderly room staff at RAF Andover celebrate victory in Europe, May 1945. Credit: RAF Museum Collection.

News

Royal Air Force and Royal Marines heritage to benefit from £13.7million investment

On the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, we’re celebrating two grants that will transform how these nationally important military history collections are shared with future generations.

08/05/2025

Children engaging with an interactive museum display

Photo: Jodrell Bank/Andrew Brooks.

Stories

Six tips for making heritage autism-friendly

From museums and galleries to gardens and churches, our funding is helping these projects to make heritage sites more inclusive, accessible and welcoming for everyone.